Phormium tenax Plant Named ‘PHOS2’

ABSTRACT

‘PHOS2’ is a distinctive variety of  Phormium tenax  which is characterized by a dwarf growth habit with a strong shoot density as compared with the species  Phormium tenax,  which has a variable growth form ranging from short to tall plant height and sparse to dense shoot density. In addition, ‘PHOS2’ has a bronze mature leaf color, whereas the parental form of the species  Phormium tenax  has a mature leaf colour of purple.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the novel varietydisclosed herein is Phormium tenax.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Phormium tenax disclosedherein has been given the varietal denomination ‘PHOS2’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety ofPhormium tenax, which has been given the varietal denomination of‘PHOS2’. Its market class is that of an ornamental plant. ‘PHOS2’ isintended for use in landscaping and as a decorative plant.

Parentage. The Phormium tenax variety ‘PHOS2’ was selected in 2002 in anAustralian nursery in the state of New South Wales. ‘PHOS2’ is anaturally occurring whole mutation selection from open pollinatedseedlings of Phormium tenax. ‘PHOS2’ was selected due to its differencein growth habit and colour compared to the parent plant.

Asexual reproduction. ‘PHOS2’ was first propagated asexually by divisionin the state of New South Wales, Australia and has since been asexuallypropagated by division and micropropagation. Divisions of ‘PHOS2’ rootwithin 3 to 4 weeks.

After divisions were made for several subsequent generations, ‘PHOS2’was observed to retain the color and size characteristics that werenoted in the original ‘PHOS2’ seedling. Thus, the distinctivecharacteristics of the inventive ‘PHOS2’ variety have remained stableand true to type from generation to generation through successive cyclesof asexual reproduction.

An application for plant breeders' rights for variety ‘PHOS2’ has beenfiled with the Australian Plant Breeders' Rights Office, and was firstgazetted in the Plant Varieties Journal in August 2004 under ApplicationNo. 2004/251.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘PHOS2’ is a distinctive variety of Phormium tenax which ischaracterized by a dwarf growth habit with a strong shoot density ascompared with the species Phormium tenax, which has a variable growthform ranging from short to tall plant height and sparse to dense shootdensity. In addition, ‘PHOS2’ has a bronze mature leaf color, whereasthe parental form of the species Phormium tenax has a mature leaf colorof purple.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The photographs in the drawings were made using conventional techniquesand show the colours as true as reasonably possible by conventionalphotography. Colours in the photographs may differ slightly from thecolour values cited in the detailed botanical description, whichaccurately describe the colours of the new Phormium tenax.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary‘PHOS2’ plant.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinctvariety of a Phormium tenax ornamental plant known as ‘PHOS2’. Plantobservations were made on plants grown in New South Wales, Australia.Unless indicated otherwise, the descriptions disclosed herein are basedupon observations made of mature ‘PHOS2’ plants, 26 weeks old, grown innursery pots and field plots.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, younger plants. ‘PHOS2’ has notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such characteristics are approximations or averagesset forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety maydiffer with variations in the environment such as season, temperature,light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and the like. Colornotations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart,(The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 1995 edition).

‘PHOS2’ is a perennial Phormium tenax plant, which is a seedlingselection from the species Phormium tenax purple form. After itsselection, ‘PHOS2’ was asexually propagated by division and then bymicropropagation. ‘PHOS2’ has a dwarf growth habit, strong shoot densityand an immature green leaf colour that matures to bronze. A botanicaldescription of ‘PHOS2’ and a comparison with other varieties of Phormiumtenax are provided below. A representative ‘PHOS2’ plant is shown inFIG. 1.

Botanical Description of the Variety

-   Growth habit: ‘PHOS2’ is a dwarf, rhizomatous plant forming an    upright dense tuft. Average plant height is 18-25 cm and average    plant spread is 20-25 cm in a mature plant grown in a 150 mm nursery    or field pot in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.-   Leaves: The upper side of the mature leaf is brown in colour (RHS    200C) and the under side leaf color is RHS N199B. When immature, the    upper side of the leaf is green in colour (RHS 144A) and the under    side leaf color is RHS 144B. The leaf is generally 6-8 mm in width,    and reaches an average length of 18-20 cm. The leaf shape is    linear-ensiform, the leaf base is cauline and therefore lacks the    presence of a petiole, the leaf margin is entire, the leaf apex is    acute and the leaf surface texture is characterised by fine    striations. The leaf venation pattern is parallel and the venation    color is the same as the rest of the leaf. The leaf attitude is    erect to semi-erect. The color of the base of the shoot where the    leaves unite is yellow-green (RHS144C).-   Roots: The roots of ‘PHOS2’ are fleshy and thick, similar to other    Phormium tenax.-   Flowers: No flowers have been produced.-   Environmental tolerances: ‘PHOS2’ has typical shade tolerance for    the species. ‘PHOS2’ has been observed to hold color to −8 degrees    Celsius without any noticeable change in appearance of the plant.    ‘PHOS2’ has moderate to good drought tolerance. ‘PHOS2’ has moderate    to good recovery with watering after severe wilting. ‘PHOS2’ does    well in sandy soils, but also tolerates heavy, clay-type soils well.-   Pest resistance: ‘PHOS2’ has average resistance to pests similar to    Phormium tenax.

These features and other characteristics of the plant are apparent fromthe figure.

Comparison of ‘PHOS2’ with Other Varieties of Phormium tenax

‘PHOS2’ has a more dwarf growth habit, stronger shoot density and agreen immature leaf color changing to a bronze mature leaf color,whereas the species Phormium tenax is taller, less dense and usuallypurple in leaf colour (colors ranging from greyed-purple to brown).

‘PHOS2’ has a more dwarf growth habit and greater shoot density thananother comparable type of Phormium tenax, known as ‘Chocolate Fingers’(unpatented). ‘PHOS2’ has a plant height of 18-25 cm and plant width of20-25 cm, whereas ‘Chocolate Fingers’ has a plant height of 30 cm andplant width of 30 cm. ‘PHOS2’ has an upper side mature leaf color ofbrown (RHS 200C), whereas the upper side mature leaf colour of‘Chocolate Fingers’ is a slightly lighter brown (approximately RHS200D).

The combination of its dwarf growth habit, strong shoot density andbronze mature leaf color makes ‘PHOS2’ a desirable ornamental plantsuited for mass production for pot and landscape use.

1. A new and distinct variety of Phormium tenax plant named ‘PHOS2’,substantially as described and illustrated herein.